Information processing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method that allow wireless communications to be readily and quickly started. When a cellular phone  1  is placed in proximity to a personal computer  11 , a strap ID is transmitted from a contactless IC tag  3  of a cellular phone strap  2  to a reader/writer  12  of the personal computer  11 . The personal computer  11  has a table of association between the strap ID and a Bluetooth device name of the cellular phone  1 . The personal computer  11 , upon obtaining the strap ID, refers to the association table and thereby identifies the cellular phone  1  as a party for carrying out Bluetooth communications therewith. The personal computer  11 , by referring to the Bluetooth device name, identifies the cellular phone  1  from among a plurality of Bluetooth devices including the cellular phone  1 , and carries out Bluetooth communications with the cellular phone  1 . The present invention can be applied to various information processing apparatuses such as cellular phones and personal computers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to an informationprocessing apparatus and method that allow wireless communications to becarried out readily and quickly.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, in accordance with development of communicationtechnologies, etc., various communication methods based on particularstandards have been proposed.

[0003] An example of such a communication method is Bluetooth™.Bluetooth is advantageous in that modules can be implemented in smallsize and in that power consumption is small, and thus applicationthereof to mobile terminals such as cellular phones and PDAs (personaldigital assistants) has been proposed.

[0004] Expectations have also been raised for wireless LANs (IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b),particularly due to a relatively fast transfer rate thereof.

[0005] Communications based on such communication methods, however,requires various selections or other operations to be performed,necessitating complex operations before starting communications.

[0006] For example, in the case of Bluetooth, when communication with aterminal is to be started, various terminals that exist nearby aredetected, and a user is required to select a party for carrying outcommunication therewith from among the terminals.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the situationdescribed above, and it allows wireless communications, for example,communications based on Bluetooth, to be carried out readily andquickly.

[0008] A first information processing apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises storage-processing means for storing identificationinformation of a wireless communication device that operates based oninduced electric power generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, andfirst terminal-name information of a first communication terminal, theidentification information and the first terminal-name information beingassociated with each other; first obtaining-processing means forobtaining the identification information from the wireless communicationdevice when it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communicationunit that allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave;synchronization-processing means for establishing synchronization forcommunication by a second wireless communication unit with a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity; secondobtaining-processing means for obtaining second terminal-nameinformation of the second communication terminal when synchronizationhas been established therewith by the synchronization-processing means;and identification-processing means for identifying the communicationterminal having the first terminal-name information associated with theidentification information obtained by the first obtaining-processingmeans, from the second communication terminal having the secondterminal-name information obtained by the second obtaining-processingmeans, based on the information stored by the storage-processing means.

[0009] The arrangement may further comprise acceptance-processing meansfor accepting input of the first terminal-name information, wherein thestorage-processing means stores the identification information obtainedby the first obtaining-processing means and the first terminal-nameinformation accepted by the acceptance-processing means in associationwith each other.

[0010] The storage-processing means may further store informationindicating a communication method of the first communication terminal inassociation with the identification information.

[0011] A first information processing method for an informationprocessing apparatus according to the present invention comprises astorage-processing step of storing identification information of awireless communication device that operates based on induced electricpower generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and firstterminal-name information of a first communication terminal, theidentification information and the first terminal-name information beingassociated with each other; a first obtaining-processing step ofobtaining the identification information from the wireless communicationdevice when it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communicationunit that allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by a second wireless communication unit with a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining second terminal-name informationof the second communication terminal when synchronization has beenestablished therewith in the synchronization-processing step; and anidentification-processing step of identifying the communication terminalhaving the first terminal-name information associated with theidentification information obtained in the first obtaining-processingstep, from the second communication terminal having the secondterminal-name information obtained in the second obtaining-processingstep, based on the information stored in the storage-processing step.

[0012] A first program according to the present invention allows acomputer to execute a storage-processing step of storing identificationinformation of a wireless communication device that operates based oninduced electric power generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, andfirst terminal-name information of a first communication terminal, theidentification information and the first terminal-name information beingassociated with each other; a first obtaining-processing step ofobtaining the identification information from the wireless communicationdevice when it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communicationunit that allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by a second wireless communication unit with a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining second terminal-name informationof the second communication terminal when synchronization has beenestablished therewith in the synchronization-processing step; and anidentification-processing step of identifying the communication terminalhaving the first terminal-name information associated with theidentification information obtained in the first obtaining-processingstep, from the second communication terminal having the secondterminal-name information obtained in the second obtaining-processingstep, based on the information stored in the storage-processing step.

[0013] A second information processing apparatus according to thepresent invention comprises storage-processing means for storing firstidentification information for identifying a wireless communicationdevice that operates based on induced electric power generated byreceiving electromagnetic wave, and second identification informationfor identifying a first communication terminal, the first identificationinformation and the second identification information being associatedwith each other; first obtaining-processing means for obtaining thefirst identification information from the wireless communication devicewhen it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communication unitthat allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; secondobtaining-processing means for obtaining, from a second communicationterminal that exists in proximity, third identification information foridentifying the second communication terminal, by a second wirelesscommunication unit; identification-processing means for identifying thefirst communication terminal having the second identificationinformation associated with the first identification informationobtained by the first obtaining-processing means, from the secondcommunication terminal having the third identification informationobtained by the second obtaining-processing means, based on theinformation stored by the storage-processing means; andsynchronization-processing means for establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified by the identification-processingmeans.

[0014] The arrangement may further comprise acceptance-processing meansfor accepting input of the second identification information, whereinthe storage-processing means stores the first identification informationobtained by the first obtaining-processing means and the secondidentification information accepted by the acceptance-processing meansin association with each other.

[0015] The storage-processing means may further store informationindicating a communication method of the first communication terminal inassociation with the first identification information.

[0016] A second information processing method for an informationprocessing apparatus according to the present invention comprises astorage-processing step of storing first identification information foridentifying a wireless communication device that operates based oninduced electric power generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, andsecond identification information for identifying a first communicationterminal, the first identification information and the secondidentification information being associated with each other; a firstobtaining-processing step of obtaining the first identificationinformation from the wireless communication device when it is placed inproximity, by a first wireless communication unit that allowscommunication by way of electromagnetic wave; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining, from a second communicationterminal that exists in proximity, third identification information foridentifying the second communication terminal, by a second wirelesscommunication unit; an identification-processing step of identifying thefirst communication terminal having the second identificationinformation associated with the first identification informationobtained in the first obtaining-processing step, from the secondcommunication terminal having the third identification informationobtained in the second obtaining-processing step, based on theinformation stored in the storage-processing step; and asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified in the identification-processing step.

[0017] A second program according to the present invention allows acomputer to execute a storage-processing step of storing firstidentification information for identifying a wireless communicationdevice that operates based on induced electric power generated byreceiving electromagnetic wave, and second identification informationfor identifying a first communication terminal, the first identificationinformation and the second identification information being associatedwith each other; a first obtaining-processing step of obtaining thefirst identification information from the wireless communication devicewhen it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communication unitthat allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining, from a second communicationterminal that exists in proximity, third identification information foridentifying the second communication terminal, by a second wirelesscommunication unit; an identification-processing step of identifying thefirst communication terminal having the second identificationinformation associated with the first identification informationobtained in the first obtaining-processing step, from the secondcommunication terminal having the third identification informationobtained in the second obtaining-processing step, based on theinformation stored in the storage-processing step; and asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified in the identification-processing step.

[0018] According to the first information processing apparatus andmethod, and program, identification information of a wirelesscommunication device that operates based on induced electric powergenerated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and first terminal-nameinformation of a first communication terminal are stored in associationwith each other, and the identification information is obtained from thewireless communication device when it is placed in proximity, by a firstwireless communication unit that allows communication by way ofelectromagnetic wave. Furthermore, synchronization for communication bya second wireless communication unit is established with a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity, and secondterminal-name information of the second communication terminal isobtained when synchronization has been established therewith.Furthermore, the communication terminal having the first terminal-nameinformation associated with the identification information obtained isidentified, from the second communication terminal having the secondterminal-name information, based on the information stored.

[0019] According to the second information processing apparatus andmethod, and program, first identification information for identifying awireless communication device that operates based on induced electricpower generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and secondidentification information for identifying a first communicationterminal are stored in association with each other, and the firstidentification information is obtained from the wireless communicationdevice when it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communicationunit that allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave.Furthermore, from a second communication terminal that exists inproximity, third identification information for identifying the secondcommunication terminal is obtained by a second wireless communicationunit. Furthermore, the first communication terminal having the secondidentification information associated with the first identificationinformation obtained is identified, from the second communicationterminal having the third identification information, based on theinformation stored. Furthermore, synchronization for communication bythe second wireless communication unit is established with the firstcommunication terminal identified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is an illustration showing an example of cellular phonethat is used in a communication system according to the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of thecommunication system according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is an illustration showing an example of the external viewof the cellular phone shown in FIG. 2.

[0023]FIG. 4 is an illustration showing another example of the externalview of the cellular phone shown in FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example functionalconfiguration of the cellular phone shown in FIG. 2.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of acontactless IC tag shown in FIG. 2.

[0026]FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an example of the external viewof a personal computer shown in FIG. 2.

[0027]FIG. 8 is an illustration showing another example of the externalview of the personal computer shown in FIG. 2.

[0028]FIG. 9 is an illustration showing yet another example of theexternal view of the personal computer shown in FIG. 2.

[0029]FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an example of a side surface ofthe personal computer shown in FIG. 2.

[0030]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of thepersonal computer shown in FIG. 2.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of acontactless-IC-tag reader/writer shown in FIG. 11.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of specifications ofcommunications carried out between the contactless IC tag and thereader/writer.

[0033]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of aBluetooth module shown in FIG. 11.

[0034]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process that is executed by thepersonal computer.

[0035]FIG. 16 is an illustration showing an example screen that isdisplayed on the personal computer.

[0036]FIG. 17 is an illustration showing another example screen that isdisplayed on the personal computer.

[0037]FIG. 18 is an illustration showing yet another example screen thatis displayed on the personal computer.

[0038]FIG. 19 is an illustration showing an example screen that isdisplayed on the personal computer.

[0039]FIG. 20 is an illustration showing another example screen that isdisplayed on the personal computer.

[0040]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of association table thatis stored in the personal computer.

[0041]FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing another process that is executed bythe personal computer.

[0042]FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process that is executed by thecommunication system shown in FIG. 2.

[0043]FIG. 24 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 23, showing a processthat is executed by the communication system shown in FIG. 2.

[0044]FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing yet another process that isexecuted by the personal computer.

[0045]FIG. 26 is an illustration showing an example screen that isdisplayed on the personal computer.

[0046]FIG. 27 is an illustration showing another example of associationtable that is stored in the personal computer.

[0047]FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing another process that is executed bythe communication system shown in FIG. 2.

[0048]FIG. 29 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 28, showing anotherprocess that is executed by the communication system shown in FIG. 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0049]FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a cellular phone 1 that is usedin a communication system according to the present invention.

[0050] As will be described later, the cellular phone 1 shown in FIG. 1includes a Bluetooth module, and is thus capable of carrying outcommunications based on Bluetooth with other Bluetooth devices.

[0051] A cellular phone strap 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as astrap 2) that is attached to the cellular phone 1, like straps ingeneral, serves to prevent losing the cellular phone 1 when it isattached to the cellular phone 1. Furthermore, on the strap 2, acontactless IC tag 3 is provided at a predetermined position on a sideof attachment to the cellular phone 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] Thus, a user is allowed to provide various data stored in thecontactless IC tag 3 to a predetermined reader/writer by placing thecellular phone 2 with the strap 2 attached thereto in proximity to thereader/writer.

[0053]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of acommunication system according to the present invention.

[0054] A personal computer 11 shown in the figure includes a Bluetoothmodule, similarly to the cellular phone 1, and is thus capable ofexchanging various information with, for example, the cellular phone 1by wireless communications based on Bluetooth.

[0055] Furthermore, the personal computer 11 includes a reader/writer 12that allows various information to be written to and read from thecontactless IC tag 3 when the contactless IC tag 3 is placed inproximity. Thus, between the personal computer 11 and the cellular phone1 with the strap 2 attached thereto, in addition to communications basedon Bluetooth, indicated by a solid arrow, communications are alsoallowed by way of electromagnetic waves radiated from the reader/writer12, indicated by a dotted arrow.

[0056] In this communication system, for example, if the personalcomputer 11 is the master of a piconet defined by Bluetooth, thepersonal computer 11, based on information obtained from the contactlessIC tag 3 by way of electromagnetic waves, is allowed to identify thecellular phone 1 as a slave that carries out communications based onBluetooth.

[0057] The processing, which will be described later in detail withreference to flowcharts, is such that when the user places the cellularphone 1 with the strap 2 attached thereto in proximity to the personalcomputer 11 and an electromagnetic wave radiated from the reader/writer12 is received by the contactless IC tag 3, identification informationpreset in the contactless IC tag 3 (hereinafter referred to as a strapID) is provided therefrom to the personal computer 11.

[0058] Strap IDs are registered in the personal computer 11 inassociation with, for example, Bluetooth device names that are setrespectively for Bluetooth devices. Upon receiving a notification of astrap ID from the contactless IC tag 3, the personal computer 11 refersto a table defining the association to identify a terminal having aBluetooth device name registered in association with the strap IDtransmitted, i.e., the cellular phone 1, as a terminal of acommunicating party. As will be described later, when synchronizationfor carrying out communications based on Bluetooth (synchronizationwithin a piconet) is established, the master obtains Bluetooth devicenames of slaves that exist nearby.

[0059] Thus, even if a plurality of Bluetooth devices exists inproximity, the personal computer 1 is allowed to identify the cellularphone 1 from among the plurality of devices and to communicatetherewith.

[0060] Thus, the user is allowed to communicate with the personalcomputer 11 based on Bluetooth only by placing the cellular phone 1 inproximity to the personal computer 11. Furthermore, the user is alsoallowed to initiate communication between the cellular phone 1 and thepersonal computer 11 by placing only the strap 2 in proximity to thepersonal computer 11.

[0061] If the strap 2 is not attached to the cellular phone 1 (if astrap ID associated with a Bluetooth device name of the cellular phone 1is not transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3), in order to initiatecommunication between the cellular phone 1 and the personal computer 11based on Bluetooth, the user is required to select the cellular phone 1from among a plurality of nearby Bluetooth devices detected by thepersonal computer 11. This operation is omitted.

[0062] Next, the components of the communication system shown in FIG. 2will be described.

[0063]FIG. 3 shows an example of the external view of the cellular phone1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 3, the cellular phone 1 includes a display 22and a main unit 23, and can be folded at a hinge 21 at a center.

[0065] The display 22, on a top left part thereof, has atransmitting/receiving antenna 24 that can be extended and retracted.The cellular phone 1 exchanges radio waves with base stations, which arefixed wireless terminals, via the antenna 24.

[0066] Furthermore, the display 22 has a camera unit 25 that isrotatable substantially over an angular range of 180°. The cellularphone 1 captures an image of a desired target by a CCD (charge coupleddevice) camera 26 of the camera unit 25.

[0067] When the user rotates the camera unit 25 substantially by 180°and fixes it at that position, the display 22 is in such a state that aspeaker 34 provided at a center of a back side of the camera unit 25 islocated at a front side, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the cellular phone 1is switched to a normal phone-call state.

[0068] Furthermore, a liquid crystal display 27 is provided at a centerof the display 22. The liquid crystal display 27 displays receptionstatus of radio waves, remaining battery charge, names of parties andtheir phone numbers registered in the form of a telephone directory,calling history, and in addition, content of e-mails, simple Web pages,images captured by the CCD camera 26 of the camera unit 25, etc.

[0069] The main unit 23 has operation keys 28 on its surface, includingnumeric keys of “0” to “9”, a calling key, a redialing key, acall-termination/power key, a clear key, and an e-mail key. Variouscommands in accordance with operations of the operation keys 28 areinput to the cellular phone 1.

[0070] Furthermore, on the main unit 23, a memo button 29 and amicrophone 30 are provided below the operation keys 28. When the memobutton 29 is operated, the cellular phone 1 records voice of acommunicating party during a call. The cellular phone 1 collects voiceof the user during the call by the microphone 30.

[0071] Furthermore, on the main unit 23, a rotatable jog dial 31 isprovided above the operation keys 28, slightly projecting from thesurface of the main unit 23. The cellular phone 1 executes variousprocesses in accordance with rotating operations of the jog dial 31; forexample, it scrolls a telephone directory list or an e-mail, turnssimple Web pages, or plays images sequentially on the liquid crystaldisplay 27.

[0072] For example, the cellular phone 1 selects a desired phone numberfrom a plurality of phone numbers in a telephone directory listdisplayed on the liquid crystal display 27, in accordance with arotating operation of the jog dial 31 by the user. When the jog dial 31is pressed inward of the main unit 23, the cellular phone 1 fixes theselected phone number and calls the phone number.

[0073] The cellular phone 1 has a battery pack, not shown, mounted on aback side thereof. When the call-termination/power key is turned on,each circuit receives power from the battery pack and is activated toallow operation.

[0074] In an upper part of a left side surface of the main unit 23, amemory-stick slot 32 for mounting a detachable memory stick (registeredtrademark) 33 is provided. When the memo button 29 is pressed, thecellular phone 1 records voice of a communicating party on the memorystick 33 mounted thereon. The cellular phone 1, in accordance with useroperations, records e-mails, simple Web pages, and images captured bythe CCD camera 26 on the memory stick 33 mounted thereon.

[0075] The memory stick 33 is a type of flash memory card developed bySony Corporation, which is the applicant of this application. The memorystick 33 contains a flash memory, which is a type of EEPROM(electrically erasable and programmable read only memory), i.e., anon-volatile memory that allows rewriting and erasing electrically, in aplastic case that is 21.5 mm long, 50 mm wide, and 2.8 mm thick. Thememory stick 33 allows writing and reading of various data, such asimage, sound, and music, via ten pins.

[0076] The cellular phone 1, on which the memory stick 33 can bemounted, is allowed to share data with other electronic apparatuses viathe memory stick 33.

[0077] Furthermore, the functions of the cellular phone 1 can be furtherextended by incorporating modules (chips) for adding particularfunctions in the memory stick 33 and mounting the memory stick 33 on thememory-stick slot 32.

[0078] For example, by mounting the memory stick 33 incorporating aBluetooth module and a contactless IC tag on the cellular phone 1, thefunctions of the cellular phone 1 can be extended so as to allowcommunications with the personal computer 11 based on Bluetooth andcommunications via the contactless IC tag.

[0079]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internalconfiguration of the cellular phone 1.

[0080] A main controller 41 for integrally controlling the components ofthe display 22 and the main unit 23 is connected via a main bus 51 to apower-supply circuit 45, an operation-input controller 42, an imageencoder 43, a camera interface (I/F) 44, an LCD (liquid crystal display)controller 46, a multiplexer/demultiplexer 48, a modem circuit 49, anaudio codec 50, an infrared communication device 55, and a Bluetoothmodule 56. Furthermore, the image encoder 43, an image decoder 47, themultiplexer/demultiplexer 48, a memory-stick controller 53, the modemcircuit 49, and the audio codec 50 are connected to each other via asynchronization bus 52.

[0081] When the call-termination/power key is turned on by a useroperation, each of the components receives power from the battery pack,whereby the cellular phone 1 is activated to allow operation.

[0082] The overall operation of the cellular phone 1 is controlled bythe main controller 41 including a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM(read only memory), and a RAM (random access memory). As shown in thefigure, the main controller 41 is provided with, in the ROM thereof, ahost program 41A for controlling the overall operation of the cellularphone 1, and a Bluetooth control program 41B for controlling theBluetooth module 56.

[0083] The cellular phone 1, under the control of the main controller41, in a phone-call mode, converts an audio signal collected by themicrophone 30 into digital audio data by the audio codec 50. Thecellular phone 1 performs spectrum spreading on the digital audio datain the modem circuit 49, performs digital-to-analog conversion andfrequency conversion in a transceiver circuit 54, and sends theresulting signal via the antenna 24.

[0084] Also, in the phone-call mode, the cellular phone 1 amplifies asignal received by the antenna 24, performs frequency conversion andanalog-to-digital conversion, performs spectrum despreading in the modemcircuit 49, and converts the result into an analog audio signal by theaudio codec 50. The cellular phone 1 outputs a sound corresponding tothe analog audio signal by the speaker 34.

[0085] Furthermore, the cellular phone 1, when sending an e-mail in adata-communication mode, sends text data input by operations of theoperation keys 28 and the jog dial 31 to the main controller 41 via theoperation-input controller 42.

[0086] The main controller 41 performs spectrum spreading on the textdata in the modem circuit 49, performs digital-to-analog conversion andfrequency conversion in the transceiver circuit 54, and sends the resultto a base station via the antenna 24.

[0087] On the other hand, when receiving an e-mail in thedata-communication mode, the cellular phone 1 performs spectrumdespreading on a signal received from a base station via the antenna 24in the modem circuit 49 to restore original text data, and displays thetext data as an e-mail on the liquid crystal display 27 via the LCDcontroller 46.

[0088] Then, the cellular phone 1 is allowed to record the e-mailreceived in accordance with a user operation in the memory stick 33 viathe memory-stick controller 53.

[0089] When sending image data in the data-communication mode, thecellular phone 1 transfers image data captured by the CCD camera 26 tothe image encoder 43 via the camera interface 44.

[0090] When not sending image data, the cellular phone 1 is allowed todirectly display image data captured by the CCD camera 26 on the liquidcrystal display 27 via the camera interface 44 and the LCD controller46.

[0091] The image encoder 43 compresses and encodes image datatransferred from the CCD camera 26 into encoded image data by apredetermined coding method, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture ExpertsGroup) 2 or MPEG 4, and sends the encoded image data to themultiplexer/demultiplexer 48.

[0092] At the same time, the cellular phone 1 sends sound collected bythe microphone 30 while the image is captured by the CCD camera 26 tothe multiplexer/demultiplexer 48 via the audio codec 50 as digital audiodata.

[0093] The multiplexer/demultiplexer 48 multiplexes the encoded imagedata transferred from the image encoder 43 and the audio datatransferred from the audio codec 50 by a predetermined method, performsspectrum spreading on the resulting multiplexed data in the modemcircuit 49, performs digital-to-analog conversion and frequencyconversion in the transceiver circuit 54, and then sends the result viathe antenna 24.

[0094] On the other hand, for example, when receiving data of amoving-picture file that is linked to a simple Web page or the like inthe data-communication mode, the cellular phone 1 performs spectrumdespreading on a signal received from a base station via the antenna 24in the modem circuit 49, and forwards the resulting multiplexed data tothe multiplexer/demultiplexer 48.

[0095] The multiplexer/demultiplexer 48 demultiplexes the multiplexeddata into encoded image data and audio data, and forwards the encodedimage data to the image decoder 47 and the audio data to the audio codec50 via the synchronization bus 52.

[0096] The image decoder 47 decodes the encoded image data by a decodingmethod in accordance with a predetermined encoding method, for example,MPEG2 or MPEG4, to generate moving-picture data for playback, andforwards the data to the liquid crystal display 27 via the LCDcontroller 46. Thus, the cellular phone 1 displays moving-picture dataincluded in a file that is linked, for example, to a simple Web page.

[0097] At the same time, the audio codec 50 converts the audio data intoan analog audio signal, and forwards the audio signal to the speaker 34.Thus, the cellular phone 1 plays back audio data included in amoving-picture file that is linked, for example, to a simple Web page.

[0098] Also in this case, similarly to the case of an e-mail, thecellular phone 1 is allowed to record data received, linked to a simpleWeb page or the like, in the memory stick 33 via the memory-stickcontroller 53 by a user operation.

[0099] The Bluetooth module 56 is constructed similarly to a Bluetoothmodule 145 (refer to FIG. 11) included in the personal computer 11, andcommunicates with other Bluetooth devices, including the personalcomputer 11, based on Bluetooth.

[0100] Now, communications based on Bluetooth will be described.

[0101] Types of network configuration based on Bluetooth includepiconet, and scatternet in which a plurality of piconets is connectedwith each other. In each piconet, Bluetooth devices acting as so-calledmaster and slave exist.

[0102] In order to establish synchronization within a piconet andexchange various information, synchronization with respect to thefrequency axis and synchronization with respect to the time axis must beestablished between a master and slaves constituting the piconet.

[0103] According to Bluetooth, a signal is sent, for example, from amaster to a slave, using a frequency band with a width of 79 MHz. Atthat time, the master does not occupy the frequency band over 79 MHzsimultaneously to send information, but randomly changes (hops) thefrequency for transmitting information by a step size of 1 MHz.

[0104] The slave at the receiving end synchronizes with the randomlychanging transmitting frequency of the master, and changes the receivingfrequency as required, thereby receiving the information transmittedfrom the master.

[0105] The pattern of frequency changed by the master and the slave isreferred to as a frequency-hopping pattern, and synchronization withrespect to the frequency axis is assumed if the master and the slaveshare a frequency-hopping pattern.

[0106] Furthermore, in Bluetooth, in order to allow communicationsbetween a master and a plurality of slaves, communication paths(channel) between the master and the respective slaves aretime-division-multiplexed by the unit of 625 μs. Each time period by theunit of 625 μs is referred to as a time slot. Synchronization withrespect to the time axis is assumed if the master and the slaves sharetime slots.

[0107] Each of the slaves calculates a frequency-hopping pattern basedon the Bluetooth address of the master, and adds an offset based on theBluetooth clock of the master to the Bluetooth clock that is managed onits own, thereby achieving timing synchronization of time slots.

[0108] The Bluetooth address of each Bluetooth device is unique andrepresented in 48 bits. The Bluetooth clock of each Bluetooth device ismanaged on its own.

[0109] Thus, before forming a piconet, various information including aBluetooth address and a Bluetooth clock is exchanged between the masterand slaves by processes referred to as “inquiry” and “paging”, whichwill be described later.

[0110] Furthermore, each Bluetooth device has a Bluetooth device nameassigned thereto. The Bluetooth device name can be arbitrarily set bythe user.

[0111]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail an exampleconfiguration of the contactless IC tag 3 provided on the strap 2.

[0112] The contactless IC tag 3 is implemented, for example, in the formof a single-chip IC including an antenna (loop antenna) 79 and acapacitor 80, shown in the figure, and other components. The contactlessIC tag 3 exchanges various data with the reader/writer 12 in half duplexby electromagnetic induction.

[0113] The contactless IC tag 3 is so referred to for convenience ofdescription, and is intended to refer to a module having the functionsdescribed above and to be described later. For example, Felica(registered trademark) has substantially the same functions as thecontactless IC tag 3.

[0114] A CPU 71 loads a contactless-IC-tag control program 72A stored ina ROM 72 into a RAM 73, and controls the overall operation of thecontactless IC tag 3. For example, when an electromagnetic wave radiatedfrom the reader/writer 12 is received by the antenna 79, in responsethereto, the CPU 71 sends notification of a preset strap ID to thereader/writer 12.

[0115] An interface unit 78, in an ASK (amplitude shift keying)demodulator 93 thereof, detects an envelop of a modulated wave(ASK-modulated wave) received by the antenna 79, outputting demodulateddata to a BPSK (binary phase shift keying) demodulator 81. An LC circuitformed of the antenna 79 and the capacitor 80 is caused to resonate byan electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency, radiated fromthe reader/writer 12.

[0116] Furthermore, the interface unit 78, in the ASK demodulator 93thereof, rectifies an AC magnetic field excited by the antenna 79,stabilizes the result by a voltage regulator 91, and forwards the resultto each of the components as a DC power. The power of theelectromagnetic wave radiated from the reader/writer 12 is adjusted soas to generate a magnetic field that provides power required for thecontactless IC tag, as will be described later.

[0117] Furthermore, the interface unit 78, in an oscillation circuit 94thereof, oscillates a signal having the same frequency as the clockfrequency of data, outputting the oscillation signal to a PLL unit thatis not shown.

[0118] Furthermore, for example, when sending data such as a strap ID tothe reader/writer 12, the interface unit 78, for example, turns apredetermined switching element on or off in accordance with datatransferred from a BPSK modulator 77 so that a predetermined load willbe connected in parallel to the antenna 79 only when the switchingelement is turned on, thereby changing the load of the antenna 79.

[0119] An ASK modulator 92, in accordance with change in the load of theantenna 79, ASK-modulates a modulated wave from the reader/writer 12,received by the antenna 79, and sends the modulated component to thereader/writer 12 via the antenna 79 (changes a terminal voltage of anantenna 175 (refer to FIG. 12) of the reader/writer 12) (load-switchingmethod).

[0120] The BPSK demodulator 81, if the data demodulated by the ASKdemodulator 93 is BPSK-modulated, demodulates the data (decodesManchester codes) based on a clock signal fed from the PLL unit notshown, outputting demodulated data to a data receiver 82. The datareceiver 82 outputs the data to the CPU 71, etc. as required.

[0121] The BPSK modulator 77 performs BPSK-modulation (coding intoManchester codes) on the data transferred from a data transmitter 76,outputting the result to the ASK modulator 92.

[0122] The contactless IC tag 3, in addition to sending a notificationof the strap ID to the personal computer 11, executes various processesincluding authentication with the reader/writer 12 and encryption ofdata to be transmitted.

[0123] FIGS. 7 to 10 show external views of the personal computer 11shown in FIG. 2. The notebook personal computer 11 basically includes amain unit 101 and a display 102 that can be opened and closed withrespect to the main unit 101. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view inwhich the display 102 is shown as opened with respect to the main unit101. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the main unit 101, and FIG. 9 is anenlarged view of the proximity of a jog dial 103, which will bedescribed later. FIG. 10 is a side view of the main unit 101 on the sideof the jog dial 103.

[0124] The main unit 101, on an upper surface thereof, has a keyboard104 that is operated to input various characters, symbols, and the like,a touchpad 105 serving as a pointing device that is operated, forexample, to move a pointer (mouse cursor), and a power switch 107.Furthermore, the main unit 101, on a side surface thereof, has a jogdial 103, a slot 108, and an IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 1394 port 110. As an alternative to the touchpad105, for example, a stick-type pointing device may be provided.

[0125] The display 102, on a front surface thereof, has an LCD 106 fordisplaying an image. Furthermore, the display 102, in an upper rightpart thereof, has LED lamps including a power lamp PL, a battery lampBL, and a message lamp ML and other lamps as required. The power lampPL, the battery lamp BL, the message lamp ML, etc. may be provided in alower part of the display 102.

[0126] The jog dial 103 is fixed between keys of the keyboard 104 on themain unit 101, at a height substantially the same as that of keys. Thejog dial 103 executes a predetermined process in accordance with arotating operation indicated by an arrow a in FIG. 9, and also executesa process in accordance with a moving operation indicated by an arrow b.The jog dial 103 may be disposed on a left side surface of the main unit101, on a left or right side surface of the display 102 having the LCD106, or vertically between “G key” and “H key” of the keyboard 104.Alternatively, the jog dial may be provided in a central part of thefront surface, horizontally along an upper edge or lower edge of thetouchpad 105, or vertically between a right button and a left button ofthe touchpad 105, so that the jog dial 103 can be operated by a thumbwhile operating the touchpad 105 by an index finger. Furthermore,without limitation to vertical and horizontal directions, the jog dial103 may be provided diagonally at a predetermined angle so as tofacilitate operation by fingers. Also, the jog dial 103 may be disposedat a position where the jog dial 103 can be operated by a thumb on aside of a mouse serving as a pointing device.

[0127]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration ofthe personal computer 11.

[0128] A CPU 121 is implemented by, for example, a Pentium (registeredtrademark) processor manufactured by Intel Corporation, and it isconnected to a host bus 122. Furthermore, a bridge 123 is connected tothe host bus 122. The bridge 123 is also connected to an AGP(Accelerated Graphics Port) 124 and to a PCI bus 125. The bridge 123 isimplemented, for example, by 400BX manufactured by Intel Corporation,and it controls components in the periphery of the CPU 121 and a RAM126. Furthermore, the bridge 123 is connected to a video controller 127via the AGP 124. The bridge 123 and a bridge 146 constitute what iscalled a chipset.

[0129] The bridge 123 is also connected to the RAM 126 and to a cachememory 128. The cache memory 128 caches data used by the CPU 121.Although not shown, the CPU 121 also includes a primary cache memory.

[0130] The RAM 126 is implemented, for example, by a DRAM (dynamicrandom access memory), and it stores programs executed by the CPU 121and data needed for operation of the CPU 121. More specifically, whenactivation is complete, the RAM 126 stores an e-mail program 126A, anautopilot program 126B, a jog-dial-status monitoring program 126C, ajog-dial driver 126D, an operating program (OS) 126E, a reader/writercontrol program 126F, a Bluetooth control program 126G, and acontactless-IC-tag management program 126H, transferred from an HDD 153.

[0131] The e-mail program 126A is a program for exchanging messagesthrough a communication line such as a phone line 133 over a network viaa modem 132. The e-mail program 126A has a function of retrievinge-mails for reception. The function of retrieving e-mails for receptionexecutes a process of inquiring a mail server 135 of an Internet serviceprovider 134 as to whether an e-mail to itself (user) has been receivedin a mailbox 136, and retrieving the e-mail to itself if any.

[0132] The autopilot program 126B sequentially activates a plurality ofpredetermined processes (or programs) in a predetermined order andexecutes it.

[0133] The jog-dial-status monitoring program 126C receivesnotifications regarding compatibility with jog dials from the e-mailprogram 126A to the contactless-IC-tag management program 126H. If anapplication program is compatible with jog dials, the jog-dial-statusmonitoring program 126C operates so as to display user operations thatcan be executed by operating the jog dial 103 to the user, using a userinterface function of the application program. The jog-dial-statusmonitoring program 126C is usually in a state of waiting for an event ofthe jog dial 103, and it has a list for receiving notifications fromapplication programs. The jog-dial driver 126D executes variousfunctions in accordance with operations of the jog dial 103.

[0134] The OS 126E is a program for controlling basic operations of acomputer, such as Windows (registered trademark) 95 or Windows(registered trademark) 98 from Microsoft Corporation, or Mac OS(trademark) from Apple Computer, Inc.

[0135] The reader/writer control program 126F controls the reader/writer12, detects presence of the contactless IC tag 3 placed in proximity tothe personal computer 11, and exchanges various information with thecontactless IC tag 3 by way of electromagnetic waves.

[0136] The Bluetooth control program 126G controls a Bluetooth module145. For example, the Bluetooth control program 126G detects a Bluetoothdevice that exists in proximity, and establishes synchronization forcommunicating with the Bluetooth device.

[0137] The video controller 127 is connected to the PCI bus 125, and isalso connected to the bridge 123 via the AGP 124. The video controller127 controls display on the LCD 106 based on data transferred via thePCI bus 125 or the AGP 124.

[0138] Furthermore, a sound controller 129 is connected to the PCI bus125, and a speaker 130 and a microphone 109 are connected to the speaker130. The sound controller 129 captures input of sound from themicrophone 109, and outputs an audio signal to the speaker 130.

[0139] Furthermore, a modem 132 and a PC card-slot interface 138 areconnected to the PCI bus 125.

[0140] The modem 132 can be connected to the Internet 137, the mailserver 135, and the like via the phone line 133 and the Internet serviceprovider 134.

[0141] Furthermore, when an optional function is to be added, aninterface card 139 is mounted as required in the slot 108 connected tothe PC card-slot interface 138, allowing exchange of data with externalapparatuses. For example, the interface card 139 can be connected to adrive 140, allowing exchange of data with a magnetic disk 141, anoptical disk 142, a magneto-optical disk 143, a semiconductor memory144, etc. placed in the drive 140.

[0142] The drive 140 for exchanging data with the magnetic disk 141, theoptical disk 142, the magneto-optical disk 143, and the semiconductormemory 144 may be connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 154.

[0143] Furthermore, the bridge 146 is connected to the PCI bus 125. Thebridge 146 is implemented, for example, by PIIX4E manufactured by IntelCorporation, and it controls various inputs and outputs. Morespecifically, the bridge 146 includes an IDE (Integrated DriveElectronics) controller/configuration register 147, an IDE interface148, a timer circuit 149, and a USB interface 150. The bridge 146controls devices connected to the IDE bus 152, a device connected to theUSB port 154, devices connected via an ISA/EIO (Industry StandardArchitecture/Extended Input Output) bus 151 and an I/O interface 156,and so forth.

[0144] For example, if a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 155 isconnected to the USB port 154, the USB interface 150 forwards positiondata and time data fed from the GPS antenna 155 to the CPU 121 via thePCI bus 125, the bridge 123, and the host bus 122.

[0145] The IDE controller/configuration register 147 includes two IDEcontrollers, i.e., so-called a primary IDE controller and a secondaryIDE controller, and also includes a configuration register.

[0146] The primary IDE controller is connected to a connector (notshown) via the IDE bus 152, and an HDD 153 is connected to theconnector. The secondary IDE controller can be connected to an externalapparatus via another IDE bus (not shown).

[0147] The HDD 153 stores an e-mail program 153A, an autopilot program153B, a jog-dial-status monitoring program 153C, a jog-dial drier 153D,an OS 153E, a reader/writer control program 153F, a Bluetooth controlprogram 153G, a contactless-IC-tag management program 153H, data usedfor these programs, etc. The programs 153A to 153H stored in the HDD 153are sequentially transferred to and stored in the RAM 126 in the courseof an activation process.

[0148] Furthermore, an I/O interface 156 is connected to the ISA/EIO bus151. The I/O interface 156, a ROM 157, a RAM 158, and a CPU 159 areconnected to each other.

[0149] The ROM 157 prestores, for example, an IEEE 1394 I/F program157A, an LED control program 157B, a touchpad-input monitoring program157C, a key-input monitoring program 157D, a wakeup program 157E, and ajog-dial-status monitoring program 157F.

[0150] The IEEE 1394 I/F program 157A is a program for inputting andoutputting data compliant with IEEE 1394, exchanged via the IEEE 1394input/output port 110. The LED control program 157B is a program forcontrolling lighting of LED lamps including a power lamp PL, a batterylamp BL, and a message lamp ML and other lamps as required. Thetouchpad-input monitoring program 157C is a program for monitoringinputs by the user via the touchpad 105. The key-input monitoringprogram 157D is a program for monitoring inputs by the user via thekeyboard 104 or other key switches. The wakeup program 157E is a programfor managing power supplies for chips in order to check whether a presettime has come based on current-time data fed from the timer circuit 149in the bridge 146 and to activate a predetermined process (or program)when the preset time has come. The jog-dial-status monitoring program157F is a program for constantly monitoring rotation of a rotary encoderof the jog dial 103 and pressing thereof.

[0151] Furthermore, the ROM 157 has a BIOS (basic input/output system)157G written thereto. The BIOS refers to a basic input/output system,and it is a software program for controlling input and output of databetween an OS or application programs and peripheral devices (e.g.,display, keyboard, HDD).

[0152] The RAM 158 includes registers 158A to 158F, including registersrelated to LED control, touchpad input status, key input status, andtime setting, an I/O register for monitoring status of the jog dial, andan IEEE 1394 I/F register. For example, when the jog dial 103 ispressed, the LED control register controls lighting of the message lampML indicating instant activation of an e-mail. The key-input statusregister, when the jog dial 103 is pressed, stores an operation-keyflag. The time-setting register allows setting of an arbitrary time.

[0153] Furthermore, the I/O interface 156 is connected, via a connectorthat is not shown, to the jog dial 103, the keyboard 104, the touchpad105, and the IEEE 1394 port 110. When the user performs operations usingthe jog dial 103, the keyboard 104, and the touchpad 105, the I/Ointerface 156 receives signals in accordance with the respectiveoperations from the jog dial 103, the keyboard 104, and the touchpad105, and outputs the signals to the ISA/EIO bus 151. Furthermore, theI/O interface 156 exchanges data with the outside via the IEEE 1394input/output port 110. Furthermore, the I/O interface 156 is connectedto the power lamp PL, the battery lamp BL, the message lamp ML, apower-supply control circuit 160, and other LED lamps.

[0154] The power-supply control circuit 160 is connected to a built-inbattery 161 or an AC power source. The power-supply control circuit 160supplies power as required to each block, and controls recharging of thebuilt-in battery 161 or secondary batteries of peripheral apparatuses.The CPU 159, via the I/O interface 156, monitors the power switch 107that is operated when turning power on or off.

[0155] The CPU is constantly allowed to execute the IEEE 1394 I/Fprogram 157A to the BIOS 157G by an internal power source even when thepower is off. That is, the IEEE 1394 I/F program 157A to the BIOS 157Gare constantly in operation even when no window is opened on the LCD 106of the display 102. Thus, the CPU 159 is constantly executing thejog-dial-status monitoring program 157E even when the power switch 107is off and the OS 126E is not activated by the CPU 121. Thus, aprogrammable power key (PPK) function is provided without providing adedicated key to the personal computer 11. Thus, the user is allowed toactivate desired software or script file just by pressing the jog dial103 even when in power-saving mode or when the power is off.

[0156]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration ofthe reader/writer 12 shown in FIG. 11.

[0157] An IC 171 includes a CPU 181, an SPU (signal processing unit)182, an SCC (serial communication controller) 183, and a memory 184. Thememory 184 includes a ROM 191 and a RAM 192. The CPU 181 to the memory184 are connected to each other via a bus 185.

[0158] The CPU 181 loads a control program stored in the ROM 191 intothe RAM 192, and executes various processes based on response datatransmitted from the contactless IC tag 3 and control signals fed fromthe CPU 121 shown in FIG. 11. For example, the CPU 181 generates acommand to be transmitted to the contactless IC tag 3 and outputs thecommand to the SPU 182 via the bus 185, and it executes authenticationof data transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3.

[0159] The CPU 181, when the cellular phone 1 is placed in proximity anda notification of a strap ID is received by processes in the components,which will be described later, sends a notification of the strap ID tothe Bluetooth module 145 according to an instruction by the CPU 121.

[0160] The SPU 182, when response data from the contactless IC tag 3 isfed from a demodulator 174, executes, for example, BPSK demodulation(decoding of Manchester codes) on the data, and forwards the resultingdata to the CPU 181. Furthermore, the SPU 182, when a command to betransmitted to the contactless IC tag 3 is fed via the bus 185, executesBPSK modulation (coding into Manchester codes) on the command, andoutputs the resulting data to a modulator 172.

[0161] The SCC 183 forwards data transferred from the CPU 121 shown inFIG. 11 to the CPU 181 via the bus 185, and outputs data transferred viathe bus 185 to the CPU 121.

[0162] The modulator 172 ASK-modulates a carrier wave having apredetermined frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz), fed from an oscillationcircuit (OSC) 173, based on data fed from the SPU 182, and outputs theresulting modulated wave from an antenna 175 in the form of anelectromagnetic wave. The demodulator 174 demodulates a modulated wave(ASK-modulated wave) received via the antenna 175, and outputsdemodulated data to the SPU 182.

[0163] The antenna 175 radiates a predetermined electromagnetic wave,and determines whether the contactless IC tag 3 (the cellular phone 1)is placed in proximity based on how the load changes in responsethereto. When the contactless IC tag 3 is placed in proximity, theantenna 175 exchanges various data with the contactless IC tag 3.

[0164]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of specifications ofcommunications between the reader/writer 12 and the contactless IC tag3.

[0165] As described earlier, communications between the reader/writer 12and the contactless IC tag 3 are carried out in half duplex, with acommunication rate of, for example, 211.875 kbps.

[0166] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the center frequency of afrequency band used for transmission of power and transfer of data fromthe reader/writer 12 to the contactless IC tag 3 and for transfer ofdata from the contactless IC tag 3 to the reader/writer 12 is, forexample, 13.56 MHz.

[0167] The electromagnetic wave output from the reader/writer 12 fortransmission of power is, for example, 350 mW, and the range ofcommunications is, depending on communication environment such asantenna characteristics, for example, on the order of 10 cm.

[0168] Data is transferred from the reader/writer 12 to the contactlessIC tag 3 by ASK-modulating data encoded in Manchester codes, asdescribed earlier, with a modulation degree (maximum amplitude of datasignal/maximum amplitude of carrier wave), on the order of, for example,0.1. Furthermore, data is transferred from the contactless IC tag 3 tothe reader/writer 12 by converting output data into transmission signalsby load switching (turning a switching element on/off in accordance withthe output data to change the load of the antenna 175), as describedearlier.

[0169]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration ofthe Bluetooth module 145 shown in FIG. 11.

[0170] A CPU 201 loads a control program stored in a ROM 202 into a RAM203 to control the overall operation of the Bluetooth module 145. TheCPU 201 to the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 205, and aflash memory 204 is also connected to the bus 205.

[0171] The flash memory 204 stores, for example, a Bluetooth device namethat is set for each Bluetooth device, and a Bluetooth address that isunique to each Bluetooth device.

[0172] A Bluetooth address is an identifier consisting of 48 bits, isunique (unambiguous) for each Bluetooth device, and is used in variousprocesses for management of a Bluetooth device.

[0173] For example, as described earlier, all slaves must obtaininformation regarding a frequency-hopping pattern of a master in orderto establish synchronization within a piconet, and the frequency-hoppingpattern is calculated by the slaves based on the Bluetooth address ofthe master.

[0174] More specifically, a Bluetooth address is divided into an LAP(low address part) consisting of the lower 24 bits, a UAP (upper addresspart) consisting of the next 8 bits, and an NAP (non-significant addresspart) consisting of the remaining 16 bits. A frequency-hopping patternis calculated using 28 bits including the entire 24 bits of the LAP andthe lower 4 bits of the UAP.

[0175] Each of the slaves is allowed to calculate a frequency-hoppingpattern based on the above-described 28-bit part of the Bluetoothaddress of the master, obtained during “paging” for establishingsynchronization within the piconet, and based on a Bluetooth clocktransmitted from the master.

[0176] Referring back to FIG. 14, the flash memory 204 stores a link keyor the like for authenticating a Bluetooth device of a communicatingparty or encrypting data to be transmitted after synchronization withinthe piconet has been established, and the link key or the like isprovided to the CPU 201 as required.

[0177] An input/output interface 206, according to instructions from theCPU 201, manages input and output of data transferred from the CPU 121shown in FIG. 11 and data transferred from a baseband controller 207.

[0178] The baseband controller 207 forwards data transferred from theinput/output interface 206 to a GFSK (Gaussian frequency shift keying)modulator 221 for transmission to the cellular phone 1, and outputs datatransferred from a GFSK demodulator 227 to the bus 205 or theinput/output interface 206.

[0179] The GFSK modulator 221 filters high-band components of datatransferred from the baseband controller 207, performs frequencymodulation as a primary modulation, and outputs the resulting data to aspectrum spreader 222.

[0180] The spectrum spreader 222 changes the carrier frequency based onthe frequency-hopping pattern calculated as described earlier and fedfrom a hopping synthesizer 225, performs spectrum spreading on datatransferred thereto, and then outputs the resulting signals to acommunication controller 223. In Bluetooth, the spectrum spreader 222hops the frequency at a cycle of 625 μs for transmission of data.

[0181] The communication controller 223 sends signals that haveundergone spectrum spreading from an antenna 224 using the 2.4 GHz band.Furthermore, the communication controller 223 outputs signals receivedby the antenna 224 to a spectrum despreader 226.

[0182] The spectrum despreader 226 hops the receiving frequency based onthe frequency-hopping pattern fed from the hopping synthesizer 225,thereby obtaining signals transmitted from, for example, the cellularphone 1. Furthermore, the spectrum despreader 226 performs spectrumdespreading on the signals obtained to restore signals from the cellularphone 1, and outputs the signals restored to the GFSK demodulator 227.The GFSK demodulator 227 GFSK-demodulates the signals transferred fromthe spectrum despreader 226, and outputs the resulting data to thebaseband controller 207.

[0183] The configuration of the Bluetooth module 56 is the same as thatshown in FIG. 14, and thus will not be described in detail. In thefollowing description, for example, a CPU of the Bluetooth module 56will be referred to as a CPU 201A, and a ROM thereof as a ROM 202A.Other parts will be referred to in a similar manner.

[0184] Next, operation of the communication system shown in FIG. 2 willbe described.

[0185] First, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 15, processingaccording to the contactless-IC-tag management program 126H of thepersonal computer 11, for registering the strap ID of the contactless ICtag 3 and the Bluetooth device name of the cellular phone 1 inassociation with each other, will be described.

[0186] When using the communication system shown in FIG. 2, the user isrequired to register, for example, the strap ID of the strap 2 newlypurchased and the Bluetooth device name of the cellular phone 1 in thepersonal computer 11 in advance.

[0187] In step S1, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hdisplays on the LCD 106 a selection screen for allowing the user toselect whether or not to register. FIG. 16 is an illustration showing anexample of the selection screen displayed on the LCD 106 in step S1. Inthis example, a registration window 241 is displayed, and a message thatreads “Do you wish to register?” is displayed therein. Furthermore, inthe registration window 241, an “OK” button 241A and a “Cancel” button241B are displayed.

[0188] Then, when the user operates the “OK” button 241A while theselection screen shown in FIG. 16 is in display, the-contactless-IC-tagmanagement program 126H proceeds to step S2, activating thereader/writer control program 126F.

[0189] In step S3, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hdisplays on the LCD 106, subsequent to the screen shown in FIG. 16, amessage requesting that the contactless IC tag 3 (the strap 2) be placedin proximity to the reader/writer 12. FIG. 17 is an illustration showingan example of the screen displayed on the LCD 106 in step S3. In theregistration window 241, a message that reads “Place the IC tag inproximity to the reader (the reader/writer 12).” is displayed.

[0190] In step S4, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hdetermines whether a notification of a strap ID has been received, andwaits until it is determined that a notification has been received. Whenthe contactless IC tag 3 is placed in proximity, the reader/writercontrol program 126F, activated in step S2, reads the strap ID, andsends a notification of the strap ID.

[0191] If it is determined in step S4 that a notification of a strap IDhas been received, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hproceeds to step S5, displaying a message notifying that the strap IDhas been confirmed. FIG. 18 is an illustration showing an example of themessage displayed in step S5. As shown in the figure, a message thatreads, for example, “Strap ID has been confirmed.” is displayed in theregistration window 241. Furthermore, a “Next” button 241C forproceeding to a next step is displayed below the message.

[0192] In step S6, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hdisplays a screen for entering a Bluetooth device name to be registeredin association with the strap ID that has been transmitted. FIG. 18 isan illustration showing an example of the screen for entering aBluetooth device name. In the registration window 241, a message thatreads “Enter a Bluetooth device name.” is displayed, and a field 241Dfor entering a Bluetooth device name is displayed below the field 241D.The user checks, for example, the Bluetooth device name of the cellularphone 1, and enters the Bluetooth device name using the keyboard 104.

[0193] In step S7, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hdetermines whether a Bluetooth device name has been entered, and waitsuntil a Bluetooth device name is entered. For example, when the userenters a Bluetooth device name that reads “Red cellular phone”, as shownin FIG. 19, and operates the “Next” button 241E displayed below thefield 241D for entering a Bluetooth device name, the contactless-IC-tagmanagement program 126H determines that a Bluetooth device name has beenentered, and proceeds to step S8.

[0194] In step S8, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hregisters the strap ID and the Bluetooth device name in association witheach other, for example, in the HDD 153.

[0195] When the strap ID transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3 andthe Bluetooth device name entered by the user have been registered, thecontactless-IC-tag management program 126H proceeds to step S9,displaying a message notifying that registration has been completed.FIG. 20 is an illustration showing an example of the message displayedin step S9. In this example, a message that reads “Registration has beencompleted.” is displayed in the registration window 241. When an “OK”button 241F displayed in the registration window 241F is operated, thecontactless-IC-tag management program 126H exits processing.

[0196] By executing the processing described above, for example, a tableof association between strap IDs and Bluetooth device names, shown inFIG. 21, is stored in the HDD 153. Obviously, a strap ID may be manuallyentered by a user using the keyboard 104 or the like.

[0197] In the association table shown in FIG. 21, a strap ID “A045PR63”and a Bluetooth device name “Red cellular phone” are stored as firstregistered information, and a strap ID “WW9565B” and a Bluetooth devicename “Yellow PDA” are stored as second registered information.

[0198] When the strap 2 is placed in proximity and a notification of thestrap ID “A045PR63” is received, the Bluetooth control program 126G,with reference to the association table, selects “Red cellular phone”,i.e., the cellular phone 1, as a party for establishing communicationtherewith.

[0199] Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 22, processingaccording to the reader/writer control program 126F, activated in stepS2 shown in FIG. 15, will be described.

[0200] In step S21, the reader/writer control program 126F controls thecomponents of the reader/writer 12 to radiate an electromagnetic wavefor detecting the contactless IC tag 3.

[0201] Then, in step S22, the reader/writer control program 126Fdetermines whether a notification of the strap ID has been received fromthe contactless IC tag 3, and waits until a notification is received. Ifit is determined in step S22 that the strap 2 has been placed inproximity and that a notification of the strap ID has been received fromthe contactless IC tag 3, the reader/writer control program 126Fproceeds to step S23, sending a notification of the strap ID to thecontactless-IC-tag management program 126H, and then exits processing.

[0202] Next, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, aseries of processing steps executed by the communication system shown inFIG. 2, in a case where the association table shown in FIG. 21 is storedin the personal computer 11, will be described.

[0203] In order to clarify difference from processing executed by thecellular phone 1 with the strap 2 attached thereto, processing executedby a PDA (personal digital assistant) (Bluetooth device) that is notshown, without a contactless IC tag attached thereto using a strap orincluded therein, will also be described with reference to theflowcharts shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0204] In this example, the personal computer 11 acts as a master, andthe cellular phone 1 and the PDA act as slaves. In the followingdescription relating to the flowcharts, a communication, whereappropriate, refers to a communication based on Bluetooth that iscarried out after establishing synchronization within a piconet andidentifying a communicating party.

[0205] In step S61, the reader/writer control program 126F radiates anelectromagnetic wave for detecting the contactless IC tag 3. Thereader/writer control program 126F controls the reader/writer 12 by apredetermined command to radiate electromagnetic waves at apredetermined cycle.

[0206] The contactless-IC-tag control program 72A of the strap 2, whenthe strap 2 is placed in proximity to the personal computer 11 and anelectromagnetic wave is received therefrom in step S71, proceeds to stepS72, reading the strap ID from the EEPROM 74 and sending a notificationof the strap ID to the reader/writer 12.

[0207] In step S62, the reader/writer control program 126F receives thenotification of the tag ID transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3,and proceeds to step S63, sending a notification of the tag ID to theBluetooth control program 126G.

[0208] Then, in step S31, the Bluetooth control program 126G receivesthe tag ID.

[0209] Thereafter, the Bluetooth control program 126G executes an“inquiry” in steps S32 to S34, and executes “paging” in steps S35 toS42. Basically, the “inquiry” is a process for detecting Bluetoothdevices (the cellular phone 1 and the PDA) in the proximity of thepersonal computer 11, and “paging” is a process for sending anotification of information regarding master attributes (Bluetoothaddress, Bluetooth clock, etc.). to the Bluetooth devices detected bythe “inquiry”.

[0210] In step S32, the Bluetooth control program 126G controls theBluetooth module 145 to broadcast an IQ packet.

[0211] More specifically, the Bluetooth control program 126G generatesan inquiry frequency-hopping pattern using preset 24 bits (9E8B33) ofthe LAP and four bits (all zeros) of the UAP and the entire 28 bits ofthe Bluetooth clock.

[0212] Furthermore, the Bluetooth control program 126G generates an IAC(inquiry access code) using one address block among predetermined LAPsof 9E8B00 to 9E8B3F, and broadcasts an IQ packet including the accesscode using the inquiry hopping pattern that has been calculated.

[0213] Each packet exchanged based on Bluetooth inlcudes an access code,consisting of 68 bits or 72 bits, that serves as a basis forrepresenting a destination of a transmission packet, a packet headerconsisting of 54 bits, including parameters for managing a communicationlink, and a payload consisting of 0 to 2,745 bits (variable length) ofuser data.

[0214] The IQ packet broadcast from the antenna 224 of the Bluetoothmodule 145 is received by the Bluetooth control program 41B of thecellular phone 1 in step S81, and received by a Bluetooth controlprogram of the PDA in step S101.

[0215] Then, in step S82, the Bluetooth control program 41B responds tothe inquiry by sending an FHS packet for notification of slaveattributes to the personal computer 11. The FHS packet includes, in thepayload thereof, information regarding the Bluetooth address and theBluetooth clock of the Bluetooth module 56.

[0216] The FHS packet that has been sent is received by the Bluetoothcontrol program 126G of the personal computer 11 in step S33, wherebyinformation regarding attributes of the cellular phone 1 is obtained.

[0217] Similarly, an FHS packet indicating attributes of the PDA is sentin step S102, which is received by the Bluetooth control program 126G instep S34.

[0218] By the “inquiry” described above, the Bluetooth control program126G obtains information regarding attributes of all the slaves thatexist nearby.

[0219] In step S35, the Bluetooth control program 126G creates an IDpacket based on information included in the FHS packet obtained from thecellular phone 1, and sends the ID packet to the cellular phone 1.

[0220] More specifically, the Bluetooth control program 126G calculatesa paging frequency-hopping pattern using the 24 bits of the LAP and thelower 4 bits of the UAP of Bluetooth address that is set in theBluetooth module 56 and the 28 bits of the Bluetooth clock.

[0221] Furthermore, the Bluetooth control program 126G generates a DAC(device access code) using the LAP of the Bluetooth module 56, and sendsan ID packet including the DAC to the cellular phone 1 using the pagingfrequency-hopping pattern that has been calculated.

[0222] The Bluetooth control program 41B of the cellular phone 1, uponreceiving the ID packet in step S83, proceeds to step S84, sending thesame ID packet to the personal computer 11, thereby notifying thepersonal computer 11 that the ID packet has been normally received.

[0223] The Bluetooth control program 126G, upon receiving the ID packettransmitted from the cellular phone 1, proceeds to step S37, sending anFHS packet for notification of its own attributes to the cellular phone1.

[0224] In step S85, the Bluetooth control program 41B of the cellularphone 1 receives the FHS packet transmitted from the personal computer11, obtaining attribute information of the master. The Bluetooth controlprogram 41B proceeds to step S86, sending an ID packet to the personalcomputer 11, thereby notifying the personal computer 11 that the FHSpacket has been received.

[0225] Then, the Bluetooth control program 41B proceeds to step S87,establishing synchronization within the piconet with the personalcomputer 11.

[0226] More specifically, the Bluetooth control program 41B generates achannel frequency-hopping pattern using the 24 bits of the LAP and thelower 4 bits of the UAP of the Bluetooth address that is set in thepersonal computer 11 (the Bluetooth module 145) and 27 bits of theBluetooth clock, thereby establishing synchronization with respect tothe frequency axis.

[0227] Furthermore, the Bluetooth control program 41B adds an offset(difference) to the Bluetooth clock it manages, based on thenotification of Bluetooth clock transmitted from the personal computer11, thereby establishing synchronization with respect to the time axis.

[0228] In step S38, the Bluetooth control program 126G receives the IDpacket transmitted from the cellular phone 1.

[0229] The personal computer 11, acting as a master, when establishingsynchronization with a plurality of slaves, repeatedly executes the“paging” described above for each of the slaves, sequentially increasingthe number of salves constituting the piconet. That is, “paging” issimilarly executed between the personal computer 11 and the PDA in stepsS39 to S42 and steps S103 to S107, whereby synchronization within thepiconet is established.

[0230] When synchronization has been established with all the slaveswithin the piconet, the Bluetooth control program 126G requestsnotification of Bluetooth device names that are set in the respectiveslaves. In step S43, the Bluetooth control program 126G requests thecellular phone 1 to send a notification thereof.

[0231] Alternatively, notification of a Bluetooth device name may berequested immediately after synchronization is established with eachindividual Bluetooth device (immediately after completion of “paging”).

[0232] The Bluetooth control program 41B, upon receiving the request instep S88, proceeds to step S89, reading the Bluetooth device name thatis set in the flash memory 204A (the flash memory of the Bluetoothmodule 56) and sending a notification thereof.

[0233] The Bluetooth device name transmitted from the cellular phone 1is received by the Bluetooth control program 126G in step S44.

[0234] In step S45, the Bluetooth control program 126G requests the PDAto send a notification of the Bluetooth device name, and receives aresponse to the request in step S46.

[0235] In step S47, the Bluetooth control program 126G, with referenceto the association table, finds a slave having a Bluetooth device nameassociated with a strap ID that has been transmitted in advance fromamong a plurality of slaves for which notification of Bluetooth devicename has been received, identifying the slave as a terminal of acommunicating party, and carries out communication with the slave.

[0236] Assuming that a notification of “Red cellular phone” has beenreceived from the cellular phone 1 and a notification of “Yellow PDA”has been received from the PDA in response to the request fornotification of Bluetooth device names, when a notification of the strapID “A045PR63” is received from the contactless IC tag 3, the Bluetoothcontrol program 126G is allowed to identify the cellular phone 1, forwhich the Bluetooth device name of “Red cellular phone” is set, as aterminal of a communicating party with reference to the associationtable shown in FIG. 21.

[0237] Although Bluetooth dictates that a profile indicating a method ofdata transmission be selected after establishing synchronization amongterminals, alternatively, for example, profiles that can be provided byterminals may be registered in the association table described above inassociation with their respective strap IDs. That is, the Bluetoothcontrol program 126G of the personal computer 11, upon receiving anotification of a strap ID, obtains a profile that is registered inassociation with the strap ID, and carries out communication with thecellular phone 1 using the profile obtained.

[0238] By the processing described above, even if a plurality ofBluetooth devices, including the PDA, exists in the proximity of thepersonal computer 11, communication is started only between the personalcomputer 11 and the cellular phone 1 without performing terminalselection or the like.

[0239] Although it has been described that the personal computer 11identifies a communicating party based on the Bluetooth device name ofthe cellular phone 1, transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3, andcommunicates with the terminal, the personal computer 11 may identify acommunicating party based on a Bluetooth address transmitted from thecontactless IC tag 3 and start communication therewith.

[0240] Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 25, processingaccording to the contactless-IC-tag management program 126H forregistering the strap ID of the contactless IC tag 3 and the Bluetoothaddress of the cellular phone 1 in association with each other will bedescribed.

[0241] The processing shown in FIG. 25 is the same as the processingshown in FIG. 15 except in that information that is registered inassociation with the strap ID of the contactless IC tag 3 is a Bluetoothaddress.

[0242] More specifically, when registration is selected in the selectionscreen shown in FIG. 16, the reader/writer control program 126F isactivated, and a message shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the LCD 106.Then, when the strap 2 is placed in proximity to the reader/writer 12and a notification of the strap ID thereof is received, thecontactless-IC-tag management program 126H displays a message shown inFIG. 18, and displays an entry screen for entering a Bluetooth addressin step S126.

[0243]FIG. 26 is an illustration showing an example of the entry screendisplayed in step S126. In this example, a message that reads “Enter theBluetooth address.” is displayed in a registration window 251, and aBluetooth-address entry field 251A is displayed below the registrationwindow 251A. The user checks the Bluetooth address of the cellular phone1 and enters the Bluetooth address by operating the keyboard 104 or thelike.

[0244] Then, in step S127, the contactless-IC-tag management program126H determines whether a Bluetooth address has been entered. Forexample, when a Bluetooth address “08:00:46:21:14:F9” is entered asshown in FIG. 26, as shown in FIG. 26, and a “Next” button 252B isoperated, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126H determines thata Bluetooth address has been entered, and proceeds to step S128.

[0245] In step S128, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126Hregisters the strap ID transmitted from the contactless IC tag 3 and theBluetooth address entered in association with each other. Then, in stepS129, the contactless-IC-tag management program 126H displays a screenshown in FIG. 20, indicating completion of registration, and then exitsprocessing.

[0246]FIG. 27 is an illustration showing an example of association tablethat is registered by executing the processing described above.

[0247] In the association table shown in FIG. 27, a strap ID “A045PR63”and a Bluetooth address “08:00:46:21:14:F9” are stored as firstregistered information, and a strap ID “WW9565BKO” and a Bluetoothaddress “08:01:57:22:38:F9” are stored as second registered information.As described earlier, it is possible to register additional information,for example, profiles.

[0248] When the strap 2 is placed in proximity and a notification of thestrap ID thereof is received from the contactless IC tag 3, theBluetooth control program 126G is allowed to identify a party with whichcommunication is to be established with reference to the associationtable.

[0249] Next, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, aseries of processing steps executed by the communication system shown inFIG. 2 in a case where the association table shown in FIG. 27 is storedin the personal computer 11 will be described.

[0250] The processing shown in FIG. 28 is similar to the processing upto “inquiry” described with reference to FIG. 23.

[0251] More specifically, when the strap 2 is placed in proximity to thereader/writer 12, the strap ID is transmitted from the contactless ICtag 3 to the personal computer (the reader/writer control program 126F),and the Bluetooth control program 126G executes “inquiry” in steps S142to S144.

[0252] Upon obtaining the Bluetooth addresses and other information ofthe cellular phone 1 and the PDA by the “inquiry”, the Bluetooth controlprogram 126G, in step S145, obtains from the association table aBluetooth address associated with the strap ID obtained by way of anelectromagnetic wave, and searches for an FHS packet transmitted from aslave based on the Bluetooth address. Then, the Bluetooth controlprogram 126G identifies a slave having the Bluetooth address associatedwith the strap ID as a communicating party.

[0253] For example, assuming that the association table shown in FIG. 27is stored, when a notification of a strap ID “A045PR63” is received fromthe contactless IC tag 3, the Bluetooth control program 126G searchesfor an FHS packet to identify a terminal having the Bluetooth address“08:00:46:21:14:F9”. For example, if a Bluetooth address received in anFHS packet from the cellular phone 1 is “08:00:46:21:14:F9”, theBluetooth control program is allowed to identify the cellular phone 1 asa terminal of a communicating party.

[0254] Then, the Bluetooth control program 126G executes “paging” onlyfor the cellular phone 1, identified as a communicating party in stepS145. That is, subsequent processing is not executed with the Bluetoothcontrol program of the PDA.

[0255] The subsequent processing is the same as the processing in stepsS35 to S38 and steps S83 to S87, described with reference to FIGS. 23and 24. That is, “paging” is executed between the Bluetooth controlprogram 126G of the personal computer 11 and the Bluetooth controlprogram 41B of the cellular phone 1, whereby synchronization isestablished.

[0256] Then, in step S150, the Bluetooth control program 126G of thepersonal computer 11 starts communication.

[0257] As described above, the personal computer 11 is also allowed toidentify a communicating party based on a strap ID transmitted from thecontactless IC tag 3 by registering the strap ID and the Bluetoothaddress in association with each other. That is, the user is allowed tostart communication between the cellular phone 1 and the personalcomputer 11 only by placing the strap 2 in proximity to the personalcomputer 11.

[0258] Although information associated with a strap ID has beendescribed as a Bluetooth device name or a Bluetooth address, variousinformation that serves as unique identification information may beregistered in association with a strap ID.

[0259] For example, if an IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) consistingof 128 bits is assigned to each apparatus, the personal computer 11,acting as a master, is allowed to obtain from an association table theaddress associated with a strap ID transmitted from the contactless ICtag 3, thereby identifying an apparatus for carrying out communicationtherewith.

[0260] A communication system in which a strap ID is obtained bycommunication between the contactless IC tag 3 and the reader/writer 12and in which synchronization within a piconet is established based on aBluetooth address or Bluetooth device name associated with the strap IDcan be applied to communications between various apparatuses withoutlimitation to communications between the cellular phone 1 and thepersonal computer 11.

[0261] For example, an information providing system similar to thatdescribed above can be implemented between a portable terminal such as aPDA with the contactless IC tag 3 attached thereto and a televisionreceiver, a car navigation apparatus, an automatic vending machine, anATM (automatic teller machine), etc.

[0262] Furthermore, without limitation to connections merely betweenapparatuses, by providing communication devices such as reader/writers,contactless IC tags, and Bluetooth modules in, for example, mobilebodies such as automobiles, trains, ships, and airplanes, and everywherein buildings and towns, and by allowing connections to networks such asthe Internet, LANs (local area networks), and WANs (wide area networks),via Bluetooth modules or the like, what is called a ubiquitous society(ubiquitous network society or ubiquitous computing society) can berealized.

[0263] In that case, a table of association between strap IDs andidentification information of terminals may be stored on a predeterminedserver on a network so that any apparatus (reader/writer) that hasreceived a strap ID is allowed to refer to the association table).

[0264] Although communication that is established has been described asbased on Bluetooth, obviously, the present invention can be applied tocommunication methods other than Bluetooth, such as communications bywireless LANs (IEEE 802.11b).

[0265] Communications methods other than Bluetooth also include, forexample, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, IrDA, HomeRF (SWAP), and Wireless1394, and the present invention can also be applied to thesecommunication methods.

[0266] As an alternative to the communication method of the contactlessIC tag 3 described above, which uses a loop antenna for transmission ofpower and transfer of data, any communication method may be used as longas output is maintained small and a range of communication is set to beshorter than that of a communication method such as Bluetooth.

[0267] As an alternative to the memory stick 151 described above, thecontactless IC tag 3 may be embedded in a card compliant with SD card(registered trademark) standard or CF card (registered trademark)standard. Furthermore, a seal may be used and attached to the cellularphone 1 instead of the strap shown in FIG. 1.

[0268] The series of processing steps described hereinabove may beexecuted either by hardware or by software.

[0269] If the series of processing steps are executed by software, aprogram that implements the software is installed on a computer embeddedin special hardware, or installed, for example, on a general-purposepersonal computer that allows execution of various functions withvarious programs installed thereon, via a network or from a recordingmedium.

[0270] The recording medium may be a package medium having recordedthereon the program, distributed for providing the program to a userseparately from a main unit of apparatus, for example, a magnetic disk141 (including a floppy disk), an optical disk 142 (including a CD-ROM(compact disk-read only memory) and a DVD (digital versatile disk)), amagneto-optical disk 143 (including an MD (registered trademark)(mini-disk)), or a semiconductor memory 144, as shown in FIG. 11.Alternatively, the recording medium may be the hard disk 153 having theprogram recorded thereon, which is embedded in a main unit of apparatusand provided to a user.

[0271] The steps of the program recorded on the recording medium neednot necessarily be executed sequentially in the order described herein,and may be executed in parallel or individually.

[0272] The term system herein refers to the entirety of a plurality ofapparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0273] As described above, according to the present invention, a user isallowed to start communication readily and quickly.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: storage-processingmeans for storing identification information of a wireless communicationdevice that operates based on induced electric power generated byreceiving electromagnetic wave, and first terminal-name information of afirst communication terminal, the identification information and thefirst terminal-name information being associated with each other; firstobtaining-processing means for obtaining the identification informationfrom the wireless communication device when it is placed in proximity,by a first wireless communication unit that allows communication by wayof electromagnetic wave; synchronization-processing means forestablishing synchronization for communication by a second wirelesscommunication unit with a second communication terminal that exists inproximity; second obtaining-processing means for obtaining secondterminal-name information of the second communication terminal whensynchronization has been established therewith by thesynchronization-processing means; and identification-processing meansfor identifying the communication terminal having the firstterminal-name information associated with the identification informationobtained by the first obtaining-processing means, from the secondcommunication terminal having the second terminal-name informationobtained by the second obtaining-processing means, based on theinformation stored by the storage-processing means.
 2. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisingacceptance-processing means for accepting input of the firstterminal-name information, wherein the storage-processing means storesthe identification information obtained by the firstobtaining-processing means and the first terminal-name informationaccepted by the acceptance-processing means in association with eachother.
 3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the storage-processing means further stores informationindicating a communication method of the first communication terminal inassociation with the identification information.
 4. An informationprocessing method comprising: a storage-processing step of storingidentification information of a wireless communication device thatoperates based on induced electric power generated by receivingelectromagnetic wave, and first terminal-name information of a firstcommunication terminal, the identification information and the firstterminal-name information being associated with each other; a firstobtaining-processing step of obtaining the identification informationfrom the wireless communication device when it is placed in proximity,by a first wireless communication unit that allows communication by wayof electromagnetic wave; a synchronization-processing step ofestablishing synchronization for communication by a second wirelesscommunication unit with a second communication terminal that exists inproximity; a second obtaining-processing step of obtaining secondterminal-name information of the second communication terminal whensynchronization has been established therewith in thesynchronization-processing step; and an identification-processing stepof identifying the communication terminal having the first terminal-nameinformation associated with the identification information obtained inthe first obtaining-processing step, from the second communicationterminal having the second terminal-name information obtained in thesecond obtaining-processing step, based on the information stored in thestorage-processing step.
 5. A program for allowing a computer toexecute: a storage-processing step of storing identification informationof a wireless communication device that operates based on inducedelectric power generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and firstterminal-name information of a first communication terminal, theidentification information and the first terminal-name information beingassociated with each other; a first obtaining-processing step ofobtaining the identification information from the wireless communicationdevice when it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communicationunit that allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by a second wireless communication unit with a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining second terminal-name informationof the second communication terminal when synchronization has beenestablished therewith in the synchronization-processing step; and anidentification-processing step of identifying the communication terminalhaving the first terminal-name information associated with theidentification information obtained in the first obtaining-processingstep, from the second communication terminal having the secondterminal-name information obtained in the second obtaining-processingstep, based on the information stored in the storage-processing step. 6.An information processing apparatus comprising: storage-processing meansfor storing first identification information for identifying a wirelesscommunication device that operates based on induced electric powergenerated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and second identificationinformation for identifying a first communication terminal, the firstidentification information and the second identification informationbeing associated with each other; first obtaining-processing means forobtaining the first identification information from the wirelesscommunication device when it is placed in proximity, by a first wirelesscommunication unit-that allows communication by way of electromagneticwave; second obtaining-processing means for obtaining, from a secondcommunication terminal that exists in proximity, third identificationinformation for identifying the second communication terminal, by asecond wireless communication unit; identification-processing means foridentifying the first communication terminal having the secondidentification information associated with the first identificationinformation obtained by the first obtaining-processing means, from thesecond communication terminal having the third identificationinformation obtained by the second obtaining-processing means, based onthe information stored by the storage-processing means; andsynchronization-processing means for establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified by the identification-processingmeans.
 7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6,further comprising acceptance-processing means for accepting input ofthe second identification information, wherein the storage-processingmeans stores the first identification information obtained by the firstobtaining-processing means and the second identification informationaccepted by the acceptance-processing means in association with eachother.
 8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the storage-processing means further stores informationindicating a communication method of the first communication terminal inassociation with the first identification information.
 9. An informationprocessing method comprising: a storage-processing step of storing firstidentification information for identifying a wireless communicationdevice that operates based on induced electric power generated byreceiving electromagnetic wave, and second identification informationfor identifying a first communication terminal, the first identificationinformation and the second identification information being associatedwith each other; a first obtaining-processing step of obtaining thefirst identification information from the wireless communication devicewhen it is placed in proximity, by a first wireless communication unitthat allows communication by way of electromagnetic wave; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining, from a second communicationterminal that exists in proximity, third identification information foridentifying the second communication terminal, by a second wirelesscommunication unit; an identification-processing step of identifying thefirst communication terminal having the second identificationinformation associated with the first identification informationobtained in the first obtaining-processing step, from the secondcommunication terminal having the third identification informationobtained in the second obtaining-processing step, based on theinformation stored in the storage-processing step; and asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified in the identification-processing step.10. A program for allowing a computer to execute: a storage-processingstep of storing first identification information for identifying awireless communication device that operates based on induced electricpower generated by receiving electromagnetic wave, and secondidentification information for identifying a first communicationterminal, the first identification information and the secondidentification information being associated with each other; a firstobtaining-processing step of obtaining the first identificationinformation from the wireless communication device when it is placed inproximity, by a first wireless communication unit that allowscommunication by way of electromagnetic wave; a secondobtaining-processing step of obtaining, from a second communicationterminal that exists in proximity, third identification information foridentifying the second communication terminal, by a second wirelesscommunication unit; an identification-processing step of identifying thefirst communication terminal having the second identificationinformation associated with the first identification informationobtained in the first obtaining-processing step, from the secondcommunication terminal having the third identification informationobtained in the second obtaining-processing step, based on theinformation stored in the storage-processing step; and asynchronization-processing step of establishing synchronization forcommunication by the second wireless communication unit with the firstcommunication terminal identified in the identification-processing step.